The last few years have seen a boom in the orthodontics field, with technological developments greatly expanding the possibilities of orthodontic surgery. This benefits everyone; older surgeries are less expensive and much safer, while new procedures have tremendously expanded the number of procedures that orthodontists are capable of performing. If you’re seeking an Ottawa orthodontist, it’s a good idea to work with one who is up-to-date on these latest procedures and will be able to offer you the full range of options. So, before you call an Ottawa orthodontist, here are some things to keep in mind.
What exactly is an orthodontist?
We’ve all heard of orthodontists, but many of us only have a vague sense of what exactly it is that they do. Without going into the technical details, orthodontists are dentists who are trained to diagnose and operate on issues relating to jaw and tooth misalignment. All orthodontists qualify as dentists, but they also receive an extra certification—usually a two-year training program—that enables them to perform certain types of procedures that are beyond the purview of a standard dentist. Every Ottawa orthodontist must be licensed by the Canadian Association of Orthodontists.
In the past, orthodontists mostly worked with children to correct alignment issues before they grew into serious problems. Nowadays, however, it’s becoming much more common for adults to seek orthodontic procedures, especially for cosmetic enhancements such as porcelain veneers, adult braces, and teeth aligners.
Before seeking a consultation with an Ottawa orthodontist
Before you meet with an Ottawa orthodontist, you might benefit from doing these things:
- Talk to your dentist about the tooth or jaw issue, and find out if he or she can refer you to a great orthodontist. Dentists see these issues often, so he or she should be able to give you some good information about what to ask your orthodontist and what you can expect.
- Ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues if they can recommend any orthodontists.
- Before calling any of the recommended orthodontists, check whether they are certified by the Canadian Association of Orthodontist. You can find a full, easily accessible database via the organization’s website. You’ll see a list of approximately 20-25 certified Ottawa orthodontists.
Questions to consider asking your Ottawa orthodontist
The consultation will be a give and take between you and the orthodontist. The orthodontist will probably want to do an inspection of the problem area, and he or she will probably have lots of questions for you. Meanwhile, it’s a good idea to ask your own questions. If you’re not sure where to start, here are some questions to consider asking your Ottawa orthodontist:
- Is there any pain associated with the procedure?
- How long will it take?
- How long has the orthodontist been performing this surgery?
- If there’s going to be assistants in the room during this procedure, what type of training will these people have, and what will be their functions?
- Are there any possible alternatives to this treatment?
- What will happen in the event of an emergency?
- What types of financing options are available through the orthodontist’s practice?
